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Native Bee Conservation

Why Native Bees Matter

Native bees are some of the most important pollinators in Virginia. Unlike honeybees, which were introduced from Europe, native bees have evolved alongside our native plants for thousands of years. Virginia is home to more than 400 species of native bees, each playing an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting food production. Native bees are often more efficient pollinators than honeybees because they actively collect pollen to feed their young.

Many species can also perform buzz pollination, a specialized technique where bees rapidly contract their flight muscles without moving their wings to produce strong vibrations. This technique that helps crops like blueberries and tomatoes produce more fruit. Native bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive species, and climate change, making conservation more important than ever. Some bees are generalists, visiting many different flowers, while others are specialists that rely on only a handful of native plant species.

Native Bees of Virginia

Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens)

One of the most common bumblebee species in eastern North America, known for its distinctive black and yellow coloration.

Mason Bees (Genus Osmia)

Solitary bees known for their use of mud or clay to construct their nests. They are excellent pollinators of fruit trees and other crops.

Leafcutter Bees (Genus Megachile)

Solitary bees known for their habit of cutting circular pieces of leaves to construct their nests (it seems they really like redbuds!).

Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)

A large, solitary bee species often found in wooded areas and urban environments, known for nesting in wood.

Long-horned Bees (Genus Melissodes)

A group of solitary bees known for their long antennae and distinctive markings. They are often found in open habitats with abundant flowering plants.

Sweat Bees (Genus Halictus):

A diverse group of small to medium-sized bees known for their attraction to human sweat. They are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including gardens and fields.

How Bees Find Flowers

Flowers have evolved special traits, known as pollination syndromes, that attract different pollinators. Flower shape, color, scent, and nectar all influence which bees visit them. Many flowers also contain nectar guides—patterns visible in ultraviolet light that direct bees to nectar while ensuring pollen is transferred between flowers. Native plants are especially valuable because they have evolved alongside native bees, providing the food sources specialist species depend on.

How to Create a
Bee-Friendly Garden

The best way to help native bees is by creating habitat that provides food and nesting opportunities throughout the year.

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Planting native plants is one of the best ways to support native bees, especially specialist bee species. Click the link below to view our list native plants, trees, and shrubs for bees native to Virginia

Native VA Bee Plants, Trees and Shrubs

A bee-friendly garden should include:

A Variety of Native Flowers: Choose native plants that bloom from spring through fall to provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen. Include flowers with different colors, shapes, and sizes to support a greater diversity of native bee species.

Trees and Shrubs: Plant native trees and shrubs to provide abundant early-season pollen, shelter, and nesting habitat.*

Nesting Sites: Leave patches of bare soil for ground-nesting bees and incorporate hollow stems or dead wood for cavity-nesting species.

Water: Place a shallow dish of water with pebbles so bees can safely drink without drowning.

No Pesticides: Reduce or eliminate pesticide use to protect bees and other beneficial pollinators.

Winter Habitat: Keep standing perennial plants in place until spring, as many native bees overwinter inside them.

Minimized Disturbances: Avoid disturbing nesting areas during the growing season to give native bees the best chance to reproduce successfully.

*Trees and shrubs are especially important because they provide large amounts of pollen early in the season while also offering shelter and nesting sites.

Climate Change and Native Bees

Native bees and flowering plants depend on careful seasonal timing, known as phenology. Many bee species, including the Southeastern Blueberry Bee, emerge only when their preferred flowers are in bloom. Climate change is disrupting this relationship by causing plants to flower earlier while bees may emerge at different times. When bees and flowers are out of sync, pollination becomes less efficient, resulting in fewer fruits and seeds.

For plants like blueberries, this can mean smaller harvests and less food for wildlife. Bees also struggle to find the nectar and pollen they need to survive and reproduce, leading to population declines. Because native bees pollinate many different plants, these mismatches can ripple throughout the ecosystem, reducing plant diversity and affecting the many animals that depend on healthy pollinator populations.

The Importance of Supporting Native Bee Conservation

Native bees are vital to the health of our ecosystems and agricultural productivity serving as essential and efficient pollinators.

Flower Pollination

Native bees contribute to the pollination of approximately 80% of flowering plants globally.

Pollination Efficiency

Studies show that a single mason bee can do the work of 100 honeybees in terms of pollination efficiency.

Agricultural Impact

In the U.S., native bees provide an estimated $3 billion worth of pollination services.

Native Bees Are in Decline

More than 50% of native bee species in North America are experiencing population declines, with 1 in 4 species at risk
of extinction.